John Fogle is campaigning to regain a seat on the Loveland City Council, emphasizing the importance of transparency and citizen engagement in budgetary decisions. Fogle is one of four candidates vying for two open seats in Ward 3 during the upcoming election scheduled for November 4, 2024. His previous term ended two years ago when he lost to Erin Black, who resigned earlier this year amid efforts to recall her from office. The election will fill her remaining two-year term and a new four-year term; the candidate with the most votes will secure the four-year seat.
Fogle believes that effective responses to homelessness in Loveland require multi-jurisdictional cooperation. He notes that the city cannot tackle this growing issue alone, despite valuable support from local partners. “Cooperation, participation, and funding support from the county and federal agencies is necessary and has been very limited,” Fogle stated. He highlighted that health and human services fall under the responsibilities of Larimer County and urged county officials to take more decisive action.
He commended the scheduled meeting of local jurisdictions, calling it a positive step, while urging all groups involved to work collectively towards a comprehensive homelessness strategy. “This will require councilors ready to step up and face these problems, probably for years to come,” Fogle added. He insists that council members must possess the knowledge and connections to collaborate effectively with various organizations addressing the issue.
When it comes to budgetary challenges, Fogle prioritizes transparency and citizen outreach. He criticized recent funding cuts that left the public uninformed, leading to significant backlash over the loss of community amenities. “The council needs to rely on the public’s wisdom in absorbing the information and listen closely before making decisions that involve public-facing amenities,” he explained. Fogle underscored that public safety and security should always come first in budget considerations.
Addressing the critical issue of affordable housing, Fogle pointed out that housing prices in Loveland are influenced by supply and demand dynamics. He identified a permitting bottleneck as a factor driving up costs across all housing sectors and advocates for a reorganization of fees associated with housing development. He proposed that part of this funding should be allocated to affordable housing initiatives.
Fogle aims to strengthen partnerships with local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Loveland Housing Authority, both of which have effectively contributed to the affordable housing market in Loveland.
At 69 years of age on election day, Fogle has deep roots in the Loveland community, having lived there for 55 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer networks from Regis University, along with multiple associate degrees in health technology fields. His professional background includes owning an IT consulting business and working in various roles related to information technology and vehicle sales.
Fogle’s political experience is extensive. He served as a Loveland City Councilor for 12 years and has held positions on the board of directors for the Loveland Downtown Development Authority and the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. He has also participated in the National League of Cities and the Colorado Municipal League, among other community service roles.
As voters prepare for the upcoming election, Fogle’s commitment to fostering a transparent and inclusive decision-making process stands out as a central theme in his campaign. His experience and focus on community collaboration may resonate with residents looking for effective solutions to the challenges facing Loveland.